Are you a grumpy traveler?

Greetings fellow (grumpy?) travelers!

I guess that ol’ saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff..and it’s all small stuff” does not apply to airline passengers complaints.

The annual Air Quality Rating survey found that the rate of consumer complaints was up 60 percent.

The study found that more airline passengers complained about:

• Lost bags (More lost bags this year.)
• Being bumped from a flight (More flights were overbooked.)
• Being on-time (Fewer on-time flights than in the previous year.

Brent Bowen, a co-author of the study and professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Aviation Institute, said, “[The past year] was the worst year ever for the U.S. airlines. Overall operational performance and quality declined once again to the lowest level that it’s ever been.”

I suspect most – if not all – of those (grumpy?) travelers who complain have a legitimate reason to complain. Surely travelers are not complaining simply for the sake of complaining. Right? And as high as ticket prices are for a one-way or round trip air ticket, travelers have a right to complain.

(By the way…this is as good time as any…I have been telling all you that next time you need to find the best deals on one-way or round trip airline tickets, visit cheapfares.com. They have great deals to anywhere and everywhere you need to go!)

Where was I?

Remember the other ol’ saying: “You get what you pay for” ? Well, in theory, it seems only logical if we travelers are paying higher prices for an airline ticket, then the service should be exceptional, right?

Who knows…

I’m sure the major airlines have read the report and will likely come out with a press release addressing the rise in complaints. Any guesses how the press release will be worded? No mention of “grumpy tavelers” I bet.

But will we see a difference? Will I see a difference?

Maybe. Maybe not.

In all my years of traveling, I have never had an airline lose my luggage. (Knock on wood.)

Sure, there has been an occasion or two (or three or four) that the service has not been great, and I may or may not say anything. As long as I get where I am supposed to be … get there alive…then, hey, it’s all good. Flying beats taking a bus or driving.

I’ll save my complaints to the Starbucks staff (what do they call the workers? Baristas? I forget.) when they forget to make my Latte extra hot, or forget light on foam, or forget the extra pump of espresso. At least right there and then I know my problem will be heard…resolved.

Well, I’m wrapping up at the office….

Thought I would jump in here and say a word or two!

Until next time, fellow (grumpy) travelers!

On your next trip…may your trip be a safe one…and may your pretzels be fresh!

Happy Traveling!

 

Delta Airlines Imposes New or Higher Fees

Greetings fellow travelers!

Well, I am back at home after my hour-upon-hour delay in Atlanta!

It’s good to be home, but as I mentioned in my last Blog, I have plans for a weekend-getaway.

But, what’s this? Delta Airlines is imposing new or higher fees?

Is this going to change my mind?

Probably not.

If Delta Airlines wants to charge higher fees for travelers with pets (from 75 dollars to 100 dollars), oversize bag fee (from 100 dollars to 150 dollars), unaccompanied minor fee (from 50 dollars to 100 dollars), and booking travel over the telephone (from 20 dollars to 25 dollars), then certainly that is their right.

And it is my right to choose another airline.

Betsy Talton, a spokeswoman for Delta Air Lines Inc., said the fees are in response to fuel prices.

I suspect other airlines will soon follow Delta Airlines lead. (Is lead the right word?)

Oh, well. It all balances out in the long run.

The extra fees that Delta Airline charges (and possibly other airlines) simply means that I cut back on some “wants.” Instead of g0ing to Starbucks two times a week, I will go once a week. The four times that I do not go to Starbucks will save me $25 dollars; the money I save is extra money in my wallet for the airlines fee increase.

Anyway, I am going to save money when I buy a cheap round trip air ticket on cheapfares.com.

Ever since a business colleague of mine recommended cheapfares.com, I have been booking all my business trips and vacation packages through here.

Hhmmm. Come to think of it…Maybe I don’t have to cut back on Starbucks…

Until next time, fellow travelers!

May your next travel experience be everything you expected…and more!

 

Delta MD-88s…My flight “reaccommadated.” Yours?

Greetings fellow travelers!

Where are you? You stuck at an airport like I am?

I’m tellling you, of all the weeks for me to book my flight on a business trip to Atlanta, I just had to pick this week …

I’m stuck here at the airport as I await for my flight – a flight that is not scheduled to take off for another five hours.

Why is my flight taking five hours?

MD-88 Aircrafts, that’s why.

Many of you have probably read in the news already (and maybe many of you even experienced flight “reaccommodations”), but following American Airlines lead, Delta Airlines decides to pull MD88s off-line over maintenance issues.

Were we given any notice?

No.

Were thousands of travelers all across the United States stuck at airports like me?

My guess is, Yes.

Oh, well. What can one do, right? I’m indoors, there are a number of restaurants I can choose from, (heck, I may just decide to grab a cold-one), and I have my laptop with me to browse the internet.

Things could have been worse.

Would I have preferred my flight leave on time?

Of course.

But, hey…As they say…Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.

I will say this, though. After this business trip and this experience, and since I did not take any time off when my kiddos were off for Spring Break (too much work!), I think in the next week or so I will plan a 3-day trip to…to…oh I dont know where…

Maybe Seattle? New York City?

And, of course, as we have been suggesting month in and month out…I will be booking my round trip ticket through cheapfares.com.

They really do have cheap fares to destinations all over the world!

Well, guess I will go grab a bite or maybe even a cold one…

Thought I would share this press release that Delta Airlines released regarding the MD – 88s. (Interesting how Delta does not mention the word “cancel” and even more interesting that the press release was issued after Reuters broke the story.)

Happy Traveling everyone!

Delta Airlines Statement:

“ATLANTA, March 26, 2008 – Delta Air Lines today issued the following statement regarding its proactive, voluntary review of MD-88 aircraft:

Safety is Delta’s No. 1 priority and we take [the FAA] Airworthiness Directives very seriously. Delta is working in full partnership with the FAA and has begun pro-actively and voluntarily revalidating the full compliance of a prior Airworthiness Directive that was completed earlier this year. We expect this voluntary review, which will take place on Delta’s 117 MD-88 aircraft, to have some impact to the operation. Delta apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and will work to pro-actively contact and reaccommodate any affected customers. The review will be completed by the end of the week.”
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Warning: Your Suitcase Might Cost You on Your Next Flight

Heads up, travelers.

For years, most airlines have charged you for overweight bags (basically, anything over 50 pounds) and for checking more than two bags.

Well, the next time you fly, to avoid an unexpected shock at check-in, you might want to check out your airline’s current policy on luggage.   

United recently announced that in addition to charging for overweight baggage and extra suitcases, starting in May they will be allowing only one free bag to be checked and will charge for a second bag. 

As you might have guessed, this move is driven by airlines’ search for additional revenues and ways to offset rising fuel costs. United believes that between flying lighter (as a result of carrying less weight in the baggage department) and picking up a fee from people who still check two bags, they’ll realize gains and cost savings in the $100 million range.

The charge for that second bag will be $25; $50 when you stop and consider that you’re probably flying roundtrip in most cases.

United is the first of the legacy carriers to make this move, a few smaller and discount airlines have had this policy for years.

My guess is you’re going to see passengers trying to carry on even more bags than usual on United flights when the new baggage policy kicks in. Which is probably going to cause some friction on the flight when passengers boarding at the last minute find that there’s even less overhead bin space available than usual.

But while we can’t do much about getting charged for an bag, we can help you find the lowest airfares on the ‘Net, when you search airfares at Cheapfares.com.  

 

Airfares to Europe On the Rise and What You Can Do About It

The cost of travel between the US and Europe is going up as international flights become the hot growth area for airlines. In the past year, there has been a 10.3% expansion of trans-Atlantic flight, accompanied by an average fare increase of 6.9%.

Usually when capacity expands airfares either remain flat or decrease. But in this instance, increasing fuel costs have caused a rise in pricing.

So what’s a traveler wanting to visit Europe to do?

I suggest you make sure you’re getting ther lowest airfares offered. And the easiest way to do that is to visit Cheapfares.com, of course.

On Cheapfares.com, airfare prices are constantly updated, helping to make certain you’ll find the best deals on the Internet in airfares to Europe (or anywhere else for matter).

So if you’replanning a trip to Europe, make sure you book your flight with Cheapfares.com.

 

Check Out China’s Watercube

Wow! Check out Beijing’s Olympic Aquatic Center– known as “The Watercube.”

And from the outside that’s exactly how it appears, as a large cube. Very unique and sure to dazzle visitors to the 2008 Olympics. The inside is just as impressive—

The Watercube is designed with a geodesic lattice work and is also an environmentally-friendly facility. You can see more photos and find out more about this unique facility by visiting the National Aquatics Center official website.

And while tickets to the games themselves are hard to get, you can still find great airfare deals to China at Cheapfares.com. Heck, even if you can’t attend the games themselves, this year is a great year to visit China as the whole country rolls out the red carpet for visitors from around the world.

 

When Nature Calls…

London is a popular travel destination, and is a Cheapfares.com favorite. It’s also a city that tries to take care of its visitors.

The Westminister City Council, which governs the part of the city where you’ll find Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and other popular tourist stops, recently launched a mobile phone text messaging service that allows you to locate the nearest “loo” (restrooms to those of us on this side of the Atlantic).

Who hasn’t been sightseeing and suddenly felt the need to visit the loo (or had a child suddenly announce that “they need to go”), only to have no idea where the nearest restrooms could be found?

Now, texting the word “toilet” to the number 80097 will give you directions to the closest restroom to your location.

So on your next trip to London, keep that number handy. You never know when nature might call.

 

Cracks in Airline Ticket Pricing Beginning to Show

You may recall that in an earlier post, Do Airline Woes Signal Possible Fare Wars?, I predicted that we might soon see fare wars breaking out, despite fuel cost pressures on the airlines.

The first cracks in the wall have emerged in the past week as first Northwest, and then others, abandoned efforts to institute a $40 to $20 fuel surcharge. In the past, Northwest has frequently been the airline that breaks ranks on attempts to institute and maintain price increases.

So even as airlines struggle to achieve or maintain profitability in the wake of increasing fuel costs, I still suspect someone is going to start a fare war soon in an attempt to grab market share. Of course, since such moves are typically matched by competitors, it’s  a self-defeating strategy, but it’s still one that some airlines fall back on in hard times.

Want to make sure you get the best possible deal on airfares? Then stop by Cheapfares.com, the Internet authority in airfare deals.

 

American Goes Mobile for Check-In

If you fly American Airlines, you can now check-in for your flight with a mobile phone or similar web-enabled device using a mobile-friendly version of www.aa.com.

In addition, you can also use the mobile-friendly site to view your itinerary, check flight status, obtain information on destinations, weather or airports and contact the airline.

So after you book you next American flight at CheapFares, try out this new feature when check-in time rolls around.

 

Soon You’ll be Able to Surf the Internet Inflight

Sometime this summer, surfing the Internet and checking e-mail during a flight will become a reality.

In the past week, American Airlines installed its first Aircell LLC wireless Internet system on one of its Boeing 767-200 airplanes. The system will allow travelers to access the Internet while in flight.

American will spend the next few months doing testing and additional installations before customers get their first chance to use the broadband service. And American said customer testing on its fifteen 767-200 planes should begin no later than the end of June.

Pricing for the service has not been finalized. but a spokeswoman for Aircell, the company who’s system will be used, said access during trips over three hours long would probably cost travelers $12.95 with shorter flights costing around $10. Daily, monthly and yearly subscriptions for frequent travelers are also expected to be offered. .

This is a move other airlines have been contemplating, but American now appears to be first in line to offer it.

Forrester Research surveys have shown that 55 percent of leisure travelers were interested in Internet access during flights of four hours or more and 45 percent were willing to pay $10 for it. Forrester’s surveys also showed that those taking shorter flights also had strong demand, with 41 percent saying they’d be interested when on flights of two to four hours and 24 percent saying they’d be interested on flights between one and two hours.

Demand from business travelers is expected to be even stronger (was there ever any doubt?).

American has committed to installing the system on its fleet of 767-200s, which typically fly the carrier’s transcontinental routes.

H. Douglas Backelin, American’s manager of in-flight communications and technology stated that “[i]f this goes well, we’ll want to install it [to other fleets] as quickly as possible.”

Keep an eye on our blog for information when the first flights start taking off that will be testing the Internet system. and, of course, you’ll be able to book those flights on the Internet’s number one source for cheap fares– Cheapfares.com.